Re-thinking America’s economic habits

At the Center for a Just Society website, Mark T. Mitchell, Associate Professor of Government at Patrick Henry College, offers “Ten Questions and a Modest Proposal,” in response to the recent economic crisis.

An excerpt:

“2. The bailout was ostensibly necessary to protect our ‘American way of life.’ That such a reason was offered without justification indicates that our way of life is an axiom that must be assumed but never questioned. But is it too much to consider, if only for a moment, that perhaps our way of life is precisely the problem? Of course, a way of life is a complex thing, but insofar as the “American way of life” consists in living beyond our means, it is unsustainable. To the extent that consumer credit is at an all-time high and personal savings is at an all-time low, the ‘American way of life’ is irresponsible.”

(HT: Acton PowerBlog)